Recommendations for architects in Surrey?

[imustbepatient]

We are in the West Surrey area and want to get an architects round to discuss works we would like to do at our house.

It won't be a big extension job, more an internal kitchen reconfiguration plus adding a couple of ensuites, one of which we will probably need to do an extension for. We are in a conservation area so need to get someone used to what the planning authority are likely to agree / not agree.

The architects I've found on google and various architect sites so far are either firms who do big commercial / housing development type stuff or don't even have websites, just their name on the register of architects. I'd really like to find a few people / firms who specialise in residential including extensions, not just big new builds.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks very much!

Hi. Have you tried the RIBA website? This will list all local firms and might be useful. Alternatively, you might find that some of the people working for those large companies are happy to take on smaller jobs as private work. I work for a practice in Winchester and we often do this. one of my colleagues is based in Farnham and I'm sure would be happy to help if you needed any.

Thanks very much Boom, yes I'd checked the RIBA website but couldn't find many listed who had their own websites I could look at, other than the big commercial / full scale new build stuff.

Such a good suggestion re checking if the bigger firms might still have people who would take the job on - I hadn't even thought of that, thank you!

I've PMed you with the name of our architect.

Our builder (who does a lot of work just in our area) recommended an architect - have you tried asking your builder as well (if you have one yet for the work?)

Sorry, no idea what happened to the rest of my post - we picked a local architect because we thought she would be familiar with the local planning requirements, and it was a disaster, we wasted so much money on failed applications as she didn't have a clue what would & wouldn't be allowed. In the end, we let her go, and chose a builder who had done a lot of work in our street, and he recommended the architect who had done the plans for all the houses along the street so knew the local council & planning department requirements very well.